YAP, Kenny Kim Lee @ The fish 叶金利
Economic Development of Singapore,
Accession Number 002905
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 25
Total Reels
- Lim Lai Hwa
Interviewer
- 24:47:44
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 25
Metadata
- 28 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 01:01:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interviewee born in 1965. Interviewee’s father, Yap Tik Huay, worked in a shipbuilding factory, earned $168 per month, which was given to interviewee’s grandmother as savings. Interviewee’s father passed away in 1998. Interviewee’s father and uncle did not receive much education. Interviewee’s grandparents migrated from Anxi, China. Interviewee had four elder brothers and four elder sisters. They respected their grandmother and sisters took care of grandmother. Interviewee’s father was very poor. After saving for 7-8 years, interviewee’s father bought land. Interviewee’s parents married when they were around 19-20 years old. Interviewee and siblings live in a row of houses in Yishun. Interviewee’s parents knew each other through matchmaking. Interviewee’s maternal grandfather owned a provisions shop in Yio Chu Kang.
Interviewee was the only child to be given birth in a hospital. The nurse had wanted to adopt him. Interviewee’s family favoured boys more than girls, and parents doted on him. Interviewee broke his arm when young and was sent for treatment for a few months. When his arm was healed, he broke it at the same place again, and thus was beaten by his father for that. Interviewee’s eldest brother and second eldest brother were given authority to beat the siblings when they grew older.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 25
Metadata
- 28 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interviewee’s father not very concerned about children’s education as the children could help out at home. Interviewee felt that he was lucky as he had a lot of time to do his own things and study. His school results were good and he enjoyed reading story books. He was the only university graduate in his family.
Interviewee gave up his share of his mother’s inheritance to his four sisters as he felt that his sisters were not treated as well in such a traditional family. Interviewee described his relationship with his father. Father doted on him especially as he was the youngest son. Remembered a lot of playmates and activities in his childhood. Even though daily diet was not lavish, they had plenty of food. Interviewee’s father did not buy toys for them. The children made their own toys. When the children fought, interviewee’s father would make them kneel in front of the ancestral altar. Interviewee’s elder brothers beat him more than his father did. Interviewee was more expressive with his emotions and would cry when beaten, but would not bear grudges.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 25
Metadata
- 28 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interviewee’s father would not question when elder brothers beat the siblings. Interviewee was confident of his own opinions. Recalled an incident where he bought a fish which everyone thought to be ugly, but he felt it to be beautiful. Interviewee recalled his family to be harmonious and happy.
Described living conditions in childhood. Family kept pigs, chicken and fish. Had 2000 pigs once. Lost a lot of money and livestock when pigs and chicken were struck by diseases. In early 1980s, they had to resettle. Interviewee slept with parents when young. Had his own room only when he entered secondary school. Described relationships between his mother and his aunt. Described how his grandmother discipline children. Interviewee’s sister worked as a seamstress. During Chinese New Year, interviewee and siblings would walk very far to buy satays. Interviewee would tag along with sister when she was dating as there would be free food. Interviewee was the leader of children in the kampong. Attended Chinese High School. Had to take two buses to get to school. Liked watching movies. Feared watching scary movies, but later liked watching them.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 25
Metadata
- 28 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interviewee would bathe pigs before going to school. Had to walk for about half an hour before reaching Hua Nan Primary School. When interviewee’s father and uncle breed pigs, children were not allowed to watch. Described how to bathe the pigs. Recalled childhood games. Described the lives of father and uncle as pig farmers. Described kampong life and festivities. Recalled that families would repair roads one week before a wedding. Interviewee nostalgic for the taste of wedding banquet leftovers cooked together in a mixture. Opined that children are naturally inquisitive and they should be given free rein to develop. Interviewee felt that corporal punishment should be accompanied by explanation so that children could understand why the punishment was necessary. Described festivities.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 25
Metadata
- 28 Oct 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recalled one of his elder sister’s weddings. Not all family members turned up for the wedding. Described feelings when pig farming was not as profitable. Parents did not confide in children. Remembered that father was very dignified. Interviewee’s father doted on grandchildren in later years. Relationship between parents was good. Interviewee’s mother doted on him. Described his mother and felt that his mother was intelligent and wise. Recalled relationship between his mother and his grandmother. He was closest to his second eldest brother.
When running the family business, his brother did not grudge anything. When interviewee was sick, his second eldest brother would buy food for him. Described his uncle as too benevolent and thus easily taken advantage of. Their childhood nurtured in them a sense of unity and shaped Interviewee’s attitude in business. His childhood was exciting and blessed. Good relationship with his cousins.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 25
Metadata
- 6 Dec 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described education. Attended Hua Nan Primary School and spent two years in kindergarten. Third eldest sister and fourth eldest brother attended an English school in Sembawang. All other siblings underwent Chinese education. Interviewee had exemplary school results but often caught fighting in school. Felt that his love for reading led him to have good results. English teacher trained students to give speeches by getting them to stand on desks. Interviewee once participated in a Chinese speech competition at a community centre. Interviewee was better in English than his siblings. Described study environment. Interviewee was usually appointed the class monitor. Recalled his school days to be happy. Applied and accepted to Chinese High School. Only student to be accepted to Chinese High School from his primary school. Recalled going to school on the first day. Described school life in secondary school and his school results.
Mentioned he gave a treat to his classmates on his birthday. Liked listening to Teresa Huang’s songs. Felt that traditions did not mean much to him and that he was rather radical. Started searching for his own ideals. Represented Chinese High School to give a speech.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 25
Metadata
- 6 Dec 2005
Recording Date
- 00:59:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recalled participating in singing competitions, drama, theatre and other school activities. Interviewee frequently received awards. Competitive spirit also helped him in his entrepreneurship. Described studying conditions in school as well as school syllabus and teaching methods. Felt that in order to have better school results, he should devote time to revise but did not get to do that.
Interviewee felt lonely when in Secondary Two and asked his cousin to change schools to join him. However, his cousin was not successful. Described how he handled loneliness from primary school to secondary school. Recalled school holidays when he was in Secondary One, spent on rearing fish and pigs. Further described his secondary school life and recalled time spent with his classmates in studying and revising. Described a few of his closer friends, such as Wu Qing Kang, the songwriter. Did well in his exams. Went on to study mechanical engineering at Singapore Polytechnic. Described school internship during holidays.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 25
Metadata
- 6 Dec 2005
Recording Date
- 00:57:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described his school days in Singapore Polytechnic. Family moved to Yishun by then. Prior to going to polytechnic, he was an insurance agent for half a year. Sold policies to his family, friends and neighbours. Spent money on clothes, insurance premiums and gave to his mother. Stopped selling insurance when school started. Before entering National Service, he helped out at home for a couple of months. Mentioned that National Service, studying at Chinese High School and later studying in the United States made a great impact on him in life. Said that Chinese High School gave him the foundation to be bilingual.
Described life in army. Continued describing life in army and going through re-service. Described relationship with officers and examiners in camp. Became an officer and related some experiences as an officer. Met Alan Lee who inspired interviewee to further his studies. Started preparing for studies and took TOEFL. Described his attitudes and methods with regards to recruits while in army.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 25
Metadata
- 6 Dec 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Time spent in Java nurtured interviewee’s sense of responsibility, which helped in his career later on. First conversation with Mr. Goh Chok Tong and his opinions of Mr. Goh. Described further encounters with Mr. Goh. Felt that luck was important, as well as a good family and family values. Left for United States in September 1987 for studies. Felt sad when he left his family. Described studying in the United States. Mentioned school fees. Chose to study business administration. Transferred to Ohio State University in second year. Described life in university. Had good results. Ranked third in his batch. Awarded the Dow Jones Foundation Scholarship. Helped with marking of assessments for his teachers. Teachers encouraged him to further his studies and pursue a doctorate. Toured the United States.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 25
Metadata
- 6 Dec 2005
Recording Date
- 00:58:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Described life in the United States. Missed home as environment was very different. Felt that it was a psychological challenge. One year before graduation, he became the chairman of the club for Singaporean students. Responsible for activities and publish the yearbook. Did not meet anyone who influenced his life, but managed to influence others to study in the United States. Thought that the greatest impact on him was the United States’ environment and administration. Continued describing life in the United States and how he was treated by the locals. Mingled with Americans as well as Asians. Charged US$10 per hour to help lecturers with marking of assignments. Over 20 students in the club for Singaporean students. Thought of staying in the United States to develop but finally decided to return to Singapore. Worked in Singapore Airlines (SIA) when he came back. Developed health problems when he was 25 years old and left Singapore Airlines due to a few other factors. While in recovery, he also helped out in his father’s fish farm.
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